4/23 blog

I thought that the video on how medicine can kill people was very interesting. I feel that people put too much faith in modern medicine without ever thinking that changing their diet is the right way to go. Going to a doctor should be the last step that you take if all else fails. These people are more concerned with making money than the health of others. If everyone was healthy they would not make money so they try and give out medicine for every little thing that somebody can have wrong with them, which the side affects lead to even more dangerous things that other drugs need to be taken to cure that. John DeBlasio

The video we watched in class was very interesting and made me realize that taking medications can have its consequences. Watching that woman in so much pain made think that I shouldn’t  take any pills at all .Doctors are suppose to make you get well, not get you worst so that they get more money in their pockets. The video change my whole perspective in modern medication. –Yissel Ortega 

The film "Death by Medicine" by Gary Null was crazy.  I always knew that our healthcare system was screwed up but I didn't know exactly how.  This film shed new light on the subject for me.  One of the statements that I heard in this film that caught my attention the most was "It is more profitable to fix things than it is to prevent them."  For example, if we all knew what it took to live a healthy lifestyle and take care of our bodies then there would be no need for all the drugs that are designed to mask the problems that our bodies have when we don't do the things that are required to stay healthy.  The film also noted that the medicine we use should be our lifestyle.  Meaning, the foods we eat and the exercise we partake in should act as the medicine for our bodies.  We would be much healthier and happier if we would consider these facts and knew what we need to do in order to live a healthy life.  The knowledge is what is so sacred and coveted and that is what is being hidden from us by the large drug companies... Colin Baesler


I enjoyed the death by medicine documentary. It was interesting to see a completely different view on formal medicine. I was not previously aware of the cases shown in the film. Lauren Tozzi

4/16 blog

The waste-to-energy facility field trip that we went on was outstanding.  I had no idea that Lee County had an operation like that going on.  I feel much better about the garbage that I produce, knowing that 90% of it is being burnt down into energy while the other 10% is now non-toxic and cleanly disposed of.  Five things that I see are good about this system of waste-to-energy are that it drastically reduces the amount of waste that needs to be disposed of.  Second, there is no smell or harmful toxins that are produced by burning the garbage.  Third, the county is getting clean energy to run some of its facilities from the plant.  The fourth thing is that It is very cost-effective for the County to run the plant, it powers itself.  The fifth thing that I see is good about the waste-to-energy plant is that is is producing a source of clean, reusable energy that can be used to power other facilities without burning toxic materials that can harm the environment.  The one thing that I can see as being a negative for the waste-to-energy facility is that it is very expensive to build and the amount of time that it takes to even start the production on one of these facilities can take years of jumping through political hoops and trying to get around all of the nay-sayers.  It is clear that anyone who has done the proper research about these types of facilities would not be opposed to the idea of having one in their area...  Colin Baesler

I had no idea how efficient converting garbage into energy could be. Not only does it dispose of the garbage in a safe non hazardous way, which is the most important thing, but it also produces enough energy to run the entire facility. The positive affects greatly out number the negative ones. If their are any negatives it would be the ash that is left behind, even though it takes up much less space than garbage and does not smell. The biggest problem is getting the system set up as it is much more expensive to build. john deblasio

3/27 report

Class on Tuesday the 27th was interesting.  It certainly made me think twice about the food I eat and where it really comes from.  It has been through more than just being packaged, cooked and then put on my plate.  I guess if I were to sit down and think about what it would take to mass produce that much chicken and beef I would come to the conclusion that the methods would not be pretty.  If you think about how much meat and chicken is consumed in this country then it seems necessary for it to be the way it is.  With that said, the large companies buying and selling the product could certainly do more to take care of their employees and their suppliers.  That is where  the whole situation gets a bit questionable for me.  Also, the bit about the salmonella was really disturbing.  I have relatives that live out in Nebraska and have been farmers for over 50 years.  They have cattle that they keep for themselves and slaughter every year for their own personal consumption.  At their farm, those cattle are kept separate and fed only hay and grass.  So if they wont even feed their own cattle what they feed the rest then there is definitely something wrong with feeding them corn and other things that they would not normally eat in order to make them bigger and fatter faster.  It all seems a little scary when you actually find out what is really going on... Colin Baesler

I enjoyed our class discussion on composting and starting your own garden. I am now considering starting one of my own. I have already seen food inc. a few times, but its still interesting to watch. - Lauren